King County, WA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- K.C.C. 28.86.100 (WRP-1, WRP-10)
- Water rights
- county holds exclusive reclaimed-water rights
- Plan requirement
- K.C.C. 13.24.060.R mandates reuse evaluation
- Applies to
- county wastewater system, not private wells
Summary
King County's wastewater utility must actively pursue reclaimed water reuse and keeps exclusive ownership of all reclaimed water its treatment plants produce.
WRP-1: King County shall actively pursue the use of reclaimed water while protecting the public health and safety and the environment... WRP-10: King County shall hold and maintain the exclusive right to any reclaimed water generated by the wastewater treatment plants of King County.
Full Breakdown
Unincorporated King County and the regional wastewater system are governed by the county's Water Reuse Policies at K.C.C. 28.86.100. The county's wastewater division (which serves Seattle and dozens of component cities under contract) must actively pursue reclaimed water for nonpotable uses like irrigation and industrial process water, coordinate reuse projects with the state Departments of Health and Ecology, and retains exclusive legal rights to any reclaimed water its treatment plants generate. Separately, K.C.C. 13.24.060.R requires every water and sewer comprehensive plan submitted to the county to evaluate reclaimed water opportunities under RCW 90.46.
Violations & Fines
These are county operating policies, not a private-conduct offense: there's no citation or fine for a resident. A utility's comprehensive plan that skips the required reclaimed-water evaluation can be rejected by the Utilities Technical Review Committee and county council under K.C.C. 13.24.060.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does King County require homes to use recycled water?
Who owns reclaimed water from King County treatment plants?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in King County
Compare King County to another location·View the Washington water use rules overview
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